P0015: Exhaust Camshaft Timing Over-Retarded (Bank 1)
Key takeaways
- P0015 means the exhaust camshaft on bank 1 is sitting later (more retarded) than the engine computer commanded, or won't come back when told to.
- Check the oil level and condition first: the variable timing system is moved by oil pressure, and low or wrong oil is the cheapest fix.
- The next suspect is the exhaust oil control (VVT) solenoid, usually $150 to $450; a stuck phaser or stretched chain costs $800 to $3,000.
- If P0015 comes with P0524 (low oil pressure) or the oil light, stop driving until the oil pressure problem is found.
- 34 manufacturer bulletins from 4 makes name P0015, most of them Mazda oil-pressure and Ford/Lincoln solenoid-debris notices.
What P0015 means
The camshaft that opens your exhaust valves is sitting later in its timing than the engine computer asked for. Scanners call it “B” Camshaft Position - Timing Over-Retarded (Bank 1). On an engine with variable valve timing, the computer uses an oil control solenoid to steer pressurized oil into a phaser on the end of the camshaft, then compares the cam position sensor with the crankshaft sensor to see where the cam actually landed. When the bank 1 exhaust cam stays further retarded than commanded, or won’t move back when told to, P0015 sets. “Camshaft B” is the exhaust cam on most engines; bank 1 is the side with cylinder 1, and a four-cylinder has only bank 1.
Is it safe to drive?
Short trips, usually yes. Most cars with P0015 idle a little rough, lose some power or fuel economy, and otherwise drive normally. What changes the answer: a low oil pressure light or the code P0524, a rattle from the front of the engine, stalling, or a flashing check engine light. Low oil pressure starves the bearings as well as the phaser, and a rattle can mean a timing chain problem; on most modern engines a chain that skips a tooth lets the valves hit the pistons. With any of those, stop driving and have it towed.
Causes, ranked
| Cause | How you confirm it | Typical cost (US independent shop, 2026) |
|---|---|---|
| Low, old or wrong-grade oil | Dipstick reading, oil change history, sludge under the oil cap | $0–$120 (top up or oil change) |
| Sticking exhaust oil control (VVT) solenoid | Command it with a scan tool and watch cam position; check its resistance; look for debris on the screen | $150–$450 |
| Low oil pressure from debris in the pump relief valve or a worn pump | Mechanical gauge test; P0524 stored with P0015 | $600–$1,800 for an oil pump |
| Wiring or connector at the solenoid or cam sensor | Wiggle test, oil in the connector, chafing at the valve cover | $100–$250 |
| Stuck or worn exhaust cam phaser | Cam won’t follow commands with a good solenoid and good oil pressure; rattle at cold start | $800–$2,000 |
| Stretched timing chain, worn guides or tensioner | Cam-to-crank correlation out of range, often with P0016 or P0017 | $1,200–$3,000 |
What to check first
- Oil level and condition. Top up or change it with the grade the manufacturer specifies. Oil moves the cam, so this comes before any part.
- Other codes. P0015 alone points toward the exhaust solenoid. With P0524 it points to oil pressure. With P0016 or P0017 the chain moves up the list.
- Solenoid test. A shop commands the solenoid and watches the cam respond. Debris on its screen is common and sometimes cleanable.
- Oil pressure test with a mechanical gauge if the oil light flickers or P0524 is stored.
- Clear it and drive after an oil change. If P0015 doesn’t return in a week of mixed driving, that was the answer.
- Phaser and chain last, only after oil pressure and the solenoid check out.
The bulletins show a clear pattern. Mazda has a run of notices for 2012–2018 Mazda3, Mazda6, CX-5 and CX-3 models where P0015 sets with P0524 because debris gets stuck in the oil pump relief valve or the oil control valve and drops oil pressure. Ford and Lincoln bulletins for many 2015–2021 models say debris can stick the VCT solenoid and tell technicians to cycle it ten times before replacing it, and Nissan’s bulletin for the 2019–2020 Altima 2.5L replaces the exhaust valve timing solenoid.
What it costs
The cheap outcome is an oil change, $50 to $120. The common outcome is an exhaust VVT solenoid at $150 to $450. The expensive outcome is a phaser ($800 to $2,000) or a timing chain job ($1,200 to $3,000), which is why a solenoid and oil pressure test, usually $100 to $180 of diagnosis, is worth paying for before anyone quotes a chain. If the engine also rattles, the rattling noise guide helps you describe it.
Related codes
P0015 is the retarded-side twin of P0014, and it often shows up with the correlation codes P0016 and P0017. P0011 or P0012 alongside it point to something both cams share, like oil pressure or the chain. Only 6 complaints filed with NHTSA mention P0015, too few to point at a model.
What owners report to NHTSA
6 complaints filed with NHTSA mention P0015, 6 of them since 2015, across 5 different models. The component owners most often filed it under: engine.
Manufacturer service bulletins that name P0015
34 technical service bulletins and manufacturer communications filed with NHTSA mention P0015, from 4 makes. A bulletin means the manufacturer has documented a known cause or a fix procedure for that model. Examples:
- FORD EDGE (2015, 2016, 2017, 2018), bulletin 10194428: Some 2015-2021 Ford and Lincoln vehicles may exhibit an illuminated MIL with diagnostic trouble codes (DTC) P0011, P0012, P0014, P0015, P0016, P0017, P0018, P0019, P0021, P0022, P0024 and/or P0025. This may be due to sma…
- LINCOLN AVIATOR (2020, 2021, 2017, 2018), bulletin 10194428: Some 2015-2021 Ford and Lincoln vehicles may exhibit an illuminated MIL with diagnostic trouble codes (DTC) P0011, P0012, P0014, P0015, P0016, P0017, P0018, P0019, P0021, P0022, P0024 and/or P0025. This may be due to sma…
- FORD TRANSIT (2020, 2021), bulletin 10199525: Some 2020 Transit vehicles equipped with a 3.5L Duratec engine and all 2021 Transit vehicles built on or before 01-Jul-2021 may experience an illuminated malfunction indicator lamp (MIL) with diagnostic trouble codes (DT…
- FORD TAURUS POLICE INTERCEPTOR (2014, 2015, 2016, 2017), bulletin 10201050: Some 2015-2021 Ford and Lincoln vehicles may exhibit an illuminated MIL with diagnostic trouble codes (DTC) P0011, P0012, P0014, P0015, P0016, P0017, P0018, P0019, P0021, P0022, P0024 and/or P0025. This may be due to sma…
- LINCOLN MKC (2015, 2016, 2017, 2018), bulletin 10169986: Some 2015-2020 Ford and Lincoln vehicles may exhibit an illuminated MIL with diagnostic trouble codes (DTCs) P0011, P0012, P0014, P0015, P0016, P0017, P0018, P0019, P0021, P0022, P0024 and/or P0025. This may be due to sm…
- FORD FIESTA (2015, 2016, 2017, 2018), bulletin 10169986: Some 2015-2020 Ford and Lincoln vehicles may exhibit an illuminated MIL with diagnostic trouble codes (DTCs) P0011, P0012, P0014, P0015, P0016, P0017, P0018, P0019, P0021, P0022, P0024 and/or P0025. This may be due to sm…
Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database and manufacturer communications file, snapshots September 2026. A complaint or bulletin that mentions a code is a report about that vehicle, not a statement that the code has one cause.
Frequently asked questions
Can low oil cause P0015?
Yes, and it's the first thing to rule out. The cam phaser is moved by engine oil, so an engine low on oil, running the wrong viscosity or full of sludge can leave the exhaust cam stuck late. Check the dipstick on level ground before buying parts.
What is the difference between P0014 and P0015?
Both are about the bank 1 exhaust cam (camshaft B). P0014 means it's more advanced than commanded; P0015 means it's more retarded than commanded. The checks are the same: oil, solenoid, wiring, phaser, chain.
Can a timing chain cause P0015?
It can. A stretched chain lets the camshafts fall behind the crankshaft, which reads as retarded timing. If P0015 comes with P0016 or P0017, or the engine rattles at startup, the chain moves up the list.
How long can I drive with P0015?
If the engine idles smoothly, the oil light stays off and there's no new noise, a few days of normal driving to reach a shop is usually fine. With a rattle, stalling or a low oil pressure warning, park it.